Thursday, March 20, 2014

Happy first day of Spring! Thankfully, it feels like spring today. And at least for a few more days anyway. Spring makes me happy. Not just for the warmer weather, but the buds of color. I always feel like winter is so stark and drab. So those first bursts of color seem all the more vibrant and exciting.

The one thing I am not loving right now is that it's pitch dark again in the morning. The sun isn't rising until around 7-ish, while I'm sitting in my office. Thankfully I have an east-ward facing window.

I've moved my morning runs to midday or after work for a couple of reasons. One, the time change kicked my rear. Two, I really don't feel super comfortable running alone in the total dark. Third, it's warmer when the sun finally comes up.

While I am enjoying the warmer temps of a midday or afternoon run, I am very much missing my morning runs too. I feel rather torn between the change of time for my running.

I think there are pros and cons to the various times of day for running.

Morning Run

Pros:

It's quite simply peaceful

The run is done for the day

Fewer tummy probs (for me at least)

The sunrises (when it's farther from the time changes at least)

It's cooler, which is a must during the summer months

It's a great way to start the day, sets the tone

Little traffic

Cons:

It can be hard to peel yourself out of bed

Depending on the time of year, it's so dark you can't see the road

Running solo can feel a little iffy

Midday Run

Pros:

It's warmer, which is nice in the cooler months

It's a great way to change your mindset and take a break from work

It's a good energy boosters (and mood booster)

Vitamin D

Cons:

Sometimes things come up and you have to cancel the run

Gotta time the run around a snack and lunch so you don't eat your arm off